How to write a software requirement before you hire a developer
A software requirement is a plain description of what a piece of software must do, who uses it, and what it must not do. Written well, it lets every developer quote for the same job. Unclear scope is a common reason software projects run over time and over budget.
1. Start with the problem
Describe the problem in your own words: what happens now, how often, who is affected, and what it costs in hours, errors or delays.
2. List what the software must do
Write each need as one short statement, for example "When an order is received, the system creates a job card for the works team." Keep one need on each line.
3. Separate facts from assumptions
Things you know from doing the work every day are confirmed. Guesses, such as a feature you think staff will like, are open questions to check before anyone quotes.
4. Name who uses it
For each group of users, list what they do in the system and what they need to see.
5. Say what is out of scope
Listing exclusions stops quotes from covering different things. A quote that does not list its exclusions is hard to compare.
6. Check off-the-shelf options first
If an existing product covers most of the need, it may cost less than custom work. Note what you tried and where it fell short.
7. Approve one version before anyone quotes
Ask someone who runs the process each day to read it, then send the same approved version to every developer.
scopora does this work with you: a discovery conversation, a written specification you approve, then developer proposals against that same scope. You can book your free 15-minute first conversation.